Are you sitting there, staring at a blank page, questioning whether you have what it takes to be an author? Or maybe you’re still mustering up the courage to consider creating a blank page!
You’re not alone; I’ve been there not too long ago. For years, my inner critic kept me apart from the crowd of “can do,” placing me in my own little circle labeled “not you.” Worthiness and confidence have been ongoing struggles for me, resisting even my earliest desires to pursue a career as an English teacher. How could I possibly manage that?
Doubt is a common companion on the journey to creative expression, and it doesn’t seem to discriminate over the medium or form of artistic expression. But let me assure you, dear reader, that you are worthy of being an author. Each of us carries within us a unique blend of strengths, weaknesses, passions, and experiences that make us experts in our own right.
Think about it: What book did you wish you had when you were younger? Before middle school, I consumed Scholastic Books as if my life depended on the words written between the covers—and maybe I really did.
My hunger for literature has never faded over the decades, except now I feel the tug to be a part of the offering. It started with my memoir, Tumbled: A Memoir of Perseverance, Personal Growth & Magical Transformation (which was so scary to publish!), then to Pig Tales and Popcorn: Patricia’s Memoir.
I am off to the races with two more guaranteed books in 2024. Nobody is stopping me now!
Indie-Authoring and Indie-Publishing was my path to creation!
Books written by people like me and you gave me safety and a neverending journey to a different world.
What book off the shelf could have changed the trajectory of your life story? Perhaps it was a story that resonated with your struggles or a guide that could have helped you navigate the complexities of life. That consideration is a powerful indicator of your potential as an author. Someone needs your book.
Consider your strengths and weaknesses.
Maybe you have a knack for storytelling, effortlessly weaving tales that captivate and inspire. But perhaps you struggle with grammar, finding yourself tripping over the rules of punctuation and syntax (I still despise grammar).
Embrace these aspects of yourself—they make you uniquely qualified to offer your perspective to the world.
After all, even the most celebrated authors have their areas of weakness, and it’s often through embracing these imperfections that they find their greatest strengths.
Authors are only human, after all.
What could you teach people about? Reflect on your passions, your areas of expertise—the topics that light a fire within you.
Whether it’s gardening, quantum physics, or the art of cupcake decorating, there are readers out there hungry for your knowledge and insight.
Your unique perspective, informed by your passions and experiences, has the power to educate, inspire, and entertain.
With the ease of technology at our fingertips and the rise of indie publishing, the creative sky is the limit.
And once you embrace the seed of possibility, you’ll discover that authors are all around you, disguised as everyday, ordinary people (well, not all of us can claim normalcy).
Authors I found in my backyard (metaphorically speaking)!
Gone are the days of waiting for a traditional publisher to deem us worthy.
Today, we hold the power to share our stories directly with the world, on our own terms. With the rise of indie publishing companies, print-on-demand platforms, and online writing communities, there has never been a better time to be an author.
Still feeling unsure? Here are three questions to ask yourself to help determine if you are destined to be an author:
1. What stories keep you up at night?
Think about the ideas, characters, and themes that refuse to leave you alone. These are the stories that are begging to be told, and you are the perfect person to tell them.
2. What knowledge do you possess that could benefit others?
Consider your life experiences, your skills, and your passions. Chances are, there are people out there eager to learn from you.
3. How do you feel when you imagine yourself as an author?
Close your eyes and visualize what it would be like to hold your book in your hands, to see your words impacting the lives of others. If that thought fills you with excitement and joy, then you are already well on your way.
Me. Heather N. Wilde. An indie author and publisher at Hezzie Mae.
So, dear reader, take a deep breath, silence that inner critic, and embrace the truth:
You are worthy of being an author.
Your voice matters, your story matters, and the world is waiting to hear from you. Now go forth and write your truth. The world is ready.
Read similar posts about creativity and authoring on Hezzie Mae’s Blog.
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I am a writer, educator, indie-publisher, artist, and trauma survivor. Visit HezzieMae.com for a sea change paradigm shift in author mentoring, publishing & creative, healthy living.
Purchase Aligned Enchantment by Rachel Gilbertson (March 2024).
Purchase Tumbled: A Memoir of Perseverance, Personal Growth & Magical Transformation by Heather Wilde (Feb 2023).
Purchase Pig Tales & Popcorn: Patricia’s Memoir by Heather Wilde and Pat Passero (July 2023).
Purchase Suck Less at Love: She Said, He Said Advice on Relationships by Cyndi Lewis (Jan 2024).
